Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
12/18/03
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Reiman's Pick for the week of Dec. 15, 2003
The Right Tools Take the Pain Out of Garden Work
Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
Are you looking for a practical gift this holiday season that can be used for years to come? If so, you can't go wrong with something useful for gardening or landscaping. According to the latest National Gardening Association survey, eight out of 10 households in the United States participated in lawn and garden activities last year, so it is likely there is a gardener on your gift-giving list.
This week's Reiman's Pick, ergonomic garden tools, are fairly new on the market and a must for beginning and experienced gardeners. Ergonomics is the study of how tools can be adapted to fit the needs of people. Manufacturers have taken a closer look at common garden tools and redesigned them to keep an individual's body in neutral positions while working. This lessens the amount of stress on joints and muscles and allows gardeners to work longer while exerting less energy.
Many kitchen and shop tools have been ergonomically designed to make simple jobs easier. As Baby Boomer generation ages and wants to remain active outdoors, the demand for ergonomic garden tools has increased. Ergonomic garden tools have become more readily available at garden centers and on-line. Originally designed for senior citizens and individuals with physical ailments, young, as well as old, gardeners are benefiting from their design.
The most evident characteristic of ergonomic tools is the handle. Ergonomic trowels typically have large, soft handles. Extra padding on the handle reduces the strain on hands and arm muscles. Textured handles on some ergonomic trowels give the user a better, no-slip grip. There is often a depression or ridge on top of the handle for your thumb to rest against so that your hand and wrist are in a neutral position while you dig holes for transplants.
Some trowels have an extra feature to reduce the strain on wrists and joints by keeping the arm straight while digging. An arm pad provides comfortable support for your forearm and gives you leverage to dig without bending your wrist or arm.
Pruning shears have been designed to make cutting easier and more efficient, especially for gardeners with small hands. For example, the handle on the Power-Lever hand shears is designed to remain parallel throughout the cutting process while all your fingers assist in making the cut. This minimizes the strain on your wrist and maximizes your power.
Rakes have also been redesigned to reduce the strain on your back. The handle on an ergonomic rake appears to have been stepped on and bent. The bent or "contoured" handle allows you a more comfortable stance with less bending while raking.
Gardening is America's favorite outdoor leisure activity. Working with plants is good therapy, good exercise, and a stress reliever. Using appropriately designed tools can relieve stressed muscles and extend the amount of time spent in the garden.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 68K. Caption: Ergonomic garden tool |
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